Times-News health fair continues online

Oct. 24--TWIN FALLS -- The Times-News' annual health fair looks a lot different this year. Because of social-distancing protocols, the health fair has moved online to prevent any exposure to COVID-19.

This is the 15th year that St. Lukes's Health System and the Times-News have teamed to bring important health care opportunities to the Magic Valley.

"For many of the event's participants, this is their main screening and/or health care opportunity each year," Times-News events manager Susan Nickell said. "So, we've created a virtual health fair platform where you can still gather information and secure necessary services at your fingertips."

How does a virtual health fair work?

The health fair goes live Friday at Magicvalley.com/healthfair where participants will find the following seven categories of virtual vendors:

-- Screenings

-- Services

-- Wellness

-- Senior care

-- Medical equipment

-- Insurance/financial

-- St. Luke's booths

Under each category are boxes with the logo and contact information of each provider or vendor in that category. Find something you're interested in and click through that page.

Obviously, you can't get a flu shot or a hearing test online, but the providers and vendors have offers, specials and other information on their page at the health fair website. Each will explain how to take advantage of their individual offer.

For example, if you need a flu shot, check under "services," then click on the Wellness Tree virtual booth. Download the coupon for a free flu shot, then follow instructions to visit the Wellness Tree office.

For hearing tests and skin cancer checks, look under "screenings."

For additional information and offers, scroll through the rest of the vendors.

What else should we know about the health fair?

The virtual health fair is accessible 24/7 through Nov. 9, so participants can take advantage of the free information at their leisure. Explore all the pages and find things that work for you. Unlike a traditional health fair, the geographical reach is unlimited. Services, information and interaction can be experienced by anyone with a computer or phone and internet access.

Nickell suggests that those without internet access can go online using computers at local libraries.

Need more info from vendors?

Here's a list of the vendors participating in the 2020 Times-News health fair:

St. Luke's Behavior Health: Know the Signs, Reduce the Stigma

-- -- 414 Shoup Ave. W. Suite B, Twin Falls; 208-814-9100

St. Luke's Emergency Services: Skills for Life's Journey Services

-- -- 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls; 208-814-1000

St. Luke's Children: Family Care, Family Life

-- -- 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls; 208-814-8000

St. Luke's Lifestyle Medicine: Change Your Lifestyle, Change Your Life

-- -- 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls; 208-814-7770

St. Luke's myChart: The Key to Your Health Care

-- -- 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls; 208-381-9000

Miracle-Ear

-- -- 452 Cheney Drive W., Suite 130, Twin Falls; 208-733-3340

InterPath Laboratory

-- -- 496 Shoup Ave. W. Suite F, Twin Falls; 208-734-8887

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

-- -- 650 Addison Ave. W. Suite 110, Twin Falls; 208-736-2190

United Way of South Central Idaho

-- -- 102 Main Ave. S., Suite 5, Second Floor, Twin Falls; 208-733-4922

Walker Center: Residential and Outpatient Addiction Treatment

-- -- 605 11th Ave. E., Gooding; 800-227-4190

Wellness Tree Community Clinic

-- -- 173 Martin St., Twin Falls; 208-734-2610

Wright Physical Therapy: Joint, Spine, Sport

-- -- 1444 Falls Ave. E., Twin Falls; 208-736-2574

Your Health Idaho -- P.O. Box 50143, Boise; 855-944-3246

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(c)2020 The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho)

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